Early first reactions toNobody 2this week signified that Bob Odenkirk still has what it takes to be an action hero, but now that critics have had a chance to chime in, does it still hold up as a worthy successor? According to its Rotten Tomatoes debut, the answer depends on who you talk to.
Coming out of the gate with a strong 81% rating from critics onRotten Tomatoes,Nobody 2is being hailed as an “action-packed, gory and wickedly funny dark comedy” by some, and a movie that “feels like the hurried Wikipedia plot summary of a more fleshed-out film” by others. Obviously, the majority of the praise is positive, with critic David Poland writing:
“This is exactly the kind of silly summer movie that I much prefer seeing with an audience which laughs, gasps, and collectively rolls its eyes. If you enjoy this kind of movie, there is no spoiling it. It’s a series of set pieces w/ simple characters.”
MovieWeb’s ownJulian Roman notes in his reviewthat “Nobody 2cements Bob Odenkirk’s status as a bona fide action star in a savage sequel that will kick your butt and break a foot doing it,” while adding that “there’s also a genuine heart that elevates the film above the requisite bullets and beatdowns.” That’s good news for fans looking for something more at the box office this weekend than just a cookie cutter action movie packed with punch after punch, as it’s nice to have those moments of levity that help break up the adrenaline-fueled sequences created by director Timo Tjahjanto.
Is There a Future For Odenkirk’s Hero Beyond ‘Nobody 2?’
In addition to Odenkirk,Nobody 2also features the return of Connie Nielsen, RZA, Colin Salmon, and Christopher Lloyd, and welcomes newcomers John Ortiz, Colin Hanks, and Sharon Stone to the franchise. This time around, Hutch Mansell takes his family on a much-needed vacation to the small tourist town of Plummerville, but soon finds himself in the crosshairs of a corrupt theme-park operator, a shady sheriff, and a bloodthirsty crime boss.
“Odenkirk as an aging action hero is still a violent delight, but the storytelling in this sequel leaves much to be desired,” writes Amon Warmann from Empire Magazine of the sequel, which is just three points shy of the 84% Certified Fresh rating the 2021 film received. Described as “National Lampoon’s VacationmeetsJohn Wick” by critic Jason Miller, Alonso Duralde from The Film Verdict adds:
“Stripped of the twists and surprises that made the first one such a sleeper hit, this sequel nonetheless delivers breezy, bone-crushing entertainment for undemanding late-summer audiences.”
Fans of the series can take comfort in knowing that it will likely extend beyond two movies, as even though nothing has officially been announced, Odenkirk was on hand at SDCC last month to say thathe thinks “there could be four” movies in total. Of course, that all depends on how wellNobody 2performs at the box office, but it’s projected to take in anywhere from $10 - $12 million in its opening weekend, which is double what the original pulled in four years ago, so that’s a good start.
You can judge for yourself if the franchise still has a lot of life left in it whenNobody 2opens nationwide on August 10, 2025, from Universal Pictures.
